Top 7 Foods to Avoid if You Suffer From Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a complicated matter. Though the underlying causes are different for each person, there are many things you can do to effectively lessen the onset, incidence, and duration of pain flare-ups.

Reducing pain-causing inflammation: dietary concerns

No matter what the cause of your chronic pain, reducing inflammation is a key concern. What we put into our bodies has a significant effect on inflammation. Foods, especially, have the power to heal or to harm and knowing what foods to avoid may help you in the struggle to manage your pain.

Eating a healthy diet not only reduces inflammation, but it also helps you maintain good energy throughout the day. With more energy, activity will increase, and in many cases, this can also be highly beneficial in the effort to reduce pain.

If you suffer from chronic pain, here are the top seven food you should absolutely avoid:

1.    Sugar

Anything with a high sugar content should be avoided if possible. All fresh foods, such as fruits and vegetables, have sugar, but do your best to avoid those with a higher than average glycemic index. Some of these include root vegetables (like potatoes), seed vegetables (like corn and peas), and fruits that are high in sugar such as bananas, and watermelon. Having these foods every once in a while is okay, but try not to overdo it.

Any foods with refined sugar or added sugar should be avoided if at all possible. Foods that are high in carbohydrates, like bread and pasta, will turn to sugar in your body so they should be consumed only on a limited basis.

2.    Saturated fat, trans fats

There are “good” and “bad” fats. Good fats come from foods like olive oil, avocados, and coconut oil should be consumed in moderation. Bad fats, such as those found in red meat, processed foods (like bacon), cold cuts, fried foods, margarine, butter, and coffee creamer contribute to your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity and will make your pain worse.

3.    Milk, cream, cheese, dairy

Lactose is a major contributor to inflammation, and for many people, it may be difficult to digest, as is casein.

4.    Nightshade veggies

For some people, vegetables like eggplant, peppers, and potatoes can cause an inflammatory response.

5.    Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages contain a lot of sugar and carbohydrates, which can make chronic pain much worse.

6.    Wheat, corn, soy

Avoid anything with wheat flour, such as bread, pasta, baked goods, and many snack foods. Corn sweetener is ubiquitous in many processed foods, and it is best to avoid, as is soy. Not everybody is well-equipped to digest soy, so moderation is key. If you are vegetarian, choose whole foods rather than soy-based products.

7.    Processed foods in general

If you can, avoid eating any type of processed food whatsoever. Most contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and all sorts of chemicals to stabilize and make them palatable, but these ingredients can easily throw your body’s function out of whack and lead to an increase in pain.

By avoiding these seven foods, you will be supporting your recovery from chronic pain by preventing the inflammatory response that these foods ignite.

If you suffer from chronic pain and are looking for a solution, we can help. Reach out today to learn how to get started. Call Roots Through Recovery via (866) 766-8776 to schedule a FREE consultation with our team or visit us at 3939 Atlantic Ave, Suite 102 Long Beach, CA 90807.